“He’s had two surgeries to prepare him for dialysis,” Cordray’s wife, Dawn, says. “His kidney function is down to 11 percent.

“We’re going to have to get him on dialysis as soon as possible,” she says. “We’re looking forward to getting him stabilized and getting that kidney function back up.”

A 12-hour-plus fundraiser, “Keep the Beat for Marc Cordray,” will take place Feb. 25 at Live Wire Music Hall. It will feature headliners The Train Wrecks and other local musicians, including Ray Tomasino, Michael McDougald, Greg Williams, Shane Baldwin, Wooden Nickel, Lauren Lapointe and Brenda Morie, Joe Nelson, The Accomplices, Jan Spillane and The Wayfinders with Philip Palmer, Joe Nelson and Marc Cordray, Thomas Claxton and The Myth and The Hit Man Blues Band, plus drawings and prize giveaways.

The first surgery was done to put in a chest catheter for at-home dialysis.

“They put an AZ fistula in his arm as a backup for in-center dialysis,” Dawn says. “They don’t usually do both, but he can’t afford to go low.”

Through it all, Cordray, a drummer, has remained strong. “He kind of amazes the doctors,” Dawn says. “They ask, ‘Are you nauseous, dizzy or tired?’ He’s like ‘Nope.’”

After having surgery on a Monday, Cordray went back to teaching the following Wednesday.

“He played a gig that Friday,” Dawn says. “He’s in such good health other than the disease. I mean, the man is fierce. He’s got enough energy for 10 people.”

On Feb. 25, Vinnie Van Go Go’s will donate 10 percent of the proceeds of everything it sells from 5 p.m. to midnight. “It’s a totally separate event, but they did it on the same date to coordinate,” Dawn says.

“People can go to the concert, go get some pizza and bring the pizza back to Live Wire,” she says. “We want to support Vinnie’s as much as possible.”

On April 6, the Savannah Comedy Review will do a benefit performance for Cordray. For persons who can’t attend the fundraisers, donations can be made online at www.transplants.org/donate/marccordray.

The Cordrays hope to raise $5,000 at the event.

“The National Foundation for Transplants has a grant program going on now,” Dawn says. “If you raise $5,000 at an event, they will grant you an extra $1,000.”

Overall, the Cordrays need to raise at least $100,000 — and find a kidney donor. “We’ve gone through everyone in our families, and everyone who has been tested has been ruled out,” Dawn says. “We’re looking to strangers who are willing to come and donate a kidney.”

Throughout his music career, Cordray has played more than 9,000 gigs, taught more than 1,000 private students and performed on 10 albums. A benefit in December drew dozens of local musicians who donated their time for Cordray.

Local performer Jan Spillane and her friend and co-writer Caroline Verner helped organize both benefits. This time, musicians again offered their services for free.

“They all kind of made it easy on me,” Spillane says. “I started calling and emailing and luckily, everybody said yes. I tried not to use the same people who played last time.”

Spillane became involved with the fundraising because Cordray often performs with her. “I think he’ll perform with me on this show.”

Admission is free and the event is open to everyone 21 and older. “However, we are doing door prizes,” Spillane says. “If you donate $10, you’re going to get 10 tickets and 10 chances to win a prize.

“If you pay $1, you’ll get one ticket,” she says. “If you don’t pay at all, you’ll get to hear some great music.”

The prizes are unique and include tattoos, stained glass, a guitar, a ukulele, handmade jewelry, a pedicure, tickets to events, gift certificates and many, many more. “There’s a Hooters VIP card for 10 people,” Spillane says. “We got a lot of generous donations. This is humanity at its finest. It’s very, very overwhelming.”

Even the venue is donated. The first fundraiser was on a Thursday, and more people are expected to attend because the second is being held on Saturday.

“Live Wire was very gracious in giving us a weekend date,” Spillane says. “That works a lot better for people who are going out. That’s a really nice thing they did.”

Four grand prizes and many other prizes will be give away. “Every three hours, we’ll draw a grand prize,” Spillane says. “After every set, we’ll do drawings for other prizes.

“Without everybody helping, this would have never happened.” she says. “The Savannah community of musicians flocks together and helps out. I’m very proud to be part of this group.”